Human Herpesvirus-6 DNA and Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Abstract

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare histiocytic proliferative disorder of unknown etiology that mainly affects young children. The histological feature is the granuloma-like proliferation of Langerhans-type dendritic cells. The possible role of viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV, HHV-4), human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, and cytomegalovirus (CMV, HHV-5) in the pathogenesis of LCH has been suggested in some studies; however, this still remains under debate.